Cheltenham Town 1 - 1 Notts CountyLeague 2 Saturday 3rd October
Another one-all home draw shouldn't really be grounds for optimism. Cheltenham have not won at home since the opening game of the season. But I enjoyed this match. In fact, I never once needed cardiac massage and left feeling thoroughly entertained.
Cheltenham were not forced onto the back foot as frequently as Notts County's spending power suggested that they might be. Sven Goran-Erikkson's presence in the insalubrious main stand added a frissant to the afternoon's proceedings and maybe a few more on the gate. Although, last time the two teams met at Whaddon Road in April 2006 there were a few hundred more in the crowd.
It might be that the reported £2m invested in Sven would be spent better elsewhere. Lee Hughes seemed relatively benign up front compared with Luke Rodgers who was busy and dangerous. His goal came from a wind assisted long ball. The ploy was tried several times in the first half. They had probably been given a clue or two from watching the Shrewsbury video. Cheltenham didn't get to grips with it and fell for another sucker punch.
At this point we could have been in for a re-run of Tuesday’s game. Last season, after going behind following a bright start, they would have turned in on themselves and suffered their own private agonies along with the rest of us. I was impressed that they didn't cave in. They rallied and finished the half with the edge in their favour - if not the rewards.
David Bird had a good first half attacking down the right wing before shifting to right back in the second to allow Alsop to come on for debutant Eyjolfsson (Icelandic under 21 international on loan from West Ham). Hammond and Richards worked hard. Along with Barry Hayles, this trio looks like it could cause havoc against a less disciplined side. Pook’s return has been significant and Gallinagh worked hard and broke things up. At the back Townsend was a tower of strength. Someone will pay money for him one day.
The Cheltenham goal came after Martin Allen reshuffled his pack. It must be a bit baffling to have two players of completely different stature brought on – Alsop and Hutton. Big Jules looks more dangerous than we know he really is. But the defence seems to get rattled. Hutton is yet to strike form but whizzes around between the legs of defenders. Anyway it works and Hammond equalised.
The winner was chased but not so hard as to get caught again. Which was a good thing.
If I were a true fan I would have gone into far more detail but that's best left to the opposition:
Cheltenham Town: S Brown; H Eyjolfsson (J Alsop 66), M Townsend, D Diallo, L Ridley; D Bird, M Pook, A Gallinagh, J Richards (D Hutton 59); E Hammond, B Hayles. Subs not used: M Watkins, J Low, T Lewis, S Cox, B Richardson.
Referee: M P Russell.
Attendance: 4,134 (729 from Notts County).
Attendance: 4,134 (729 from Notts County).
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